Man From Philippines Goes Viral Singing ‘VIVA MALTA’

Jan 23 2025

Taking to TikTok, user @antl3rtiktok, a man from Philippines currently living in Malta, shared a video singing Freddie Portelli’s ‘VIVA MALTA’.

The video, which amassed 11.5K views, has him singing the song and pronunciation the lyrics in stellar Maltese.

@antl3rtiktok

VIVA MALTA – Freddie Portelli ( I am not a singer but i want to sing it as good as i can. I love the message of the song. #maltese #malta #vivamalta #freddieportelli #learningmaltese #ofwreels

♬ original sound – ANTL3R 🇵🇭

‘I am not a singer but I want to sing it as good as I can. I love the message of the song’, he wrote in the caption.

Many comments praised his effort and enthusiasm for such an iconic local song by the legendary singer and songwriter.

#MaltaDaily

Ramona Attard Steps Into Parliament Following Co-Option

Jan 23 2025

On January 22, 2025, former Labour Party President Ramona Attard was officially sworn in as a Member of Parliament, filling the seat vacated by Randolph De Battista.

Attard, a lawyer and former journalist with ONE News, served as the Labour Party’s president from 2020 until late last year.

During her tenure, she advocated for significant reforms, including new IVF legislation, which was implemented within the first 100 days of the Labour government’s term.

In her brief address upon taking the oath, Attard expressed her honor in joining the country’s highest institution and emphasized her commitment to politics that support people’s aspirations, civil rights, and a strong economy aimed at improving citizens’ lives.

Attard’s co-option was approved by the Labour Party’s parliamentary group and national executive, following De Battista’s resignation to assume the role of ambassador to international institutions in Geneva.

#MaltaDaily

PN MP Alleges PM Challenged Him To Fight: PL Dismiss

Jan 23 2025

Nationalist Party MP Karol Aquilina alleged that Prime Minister Robert Abela challenged him to a physical fight during Wednesday’s parliamentary sitting.

Aquilina claimed Abela told him, “Come outside, and I’ll show you” (oħroġ barra u nurik) while the Speaker was delivering a ruling.

He dismissed the challenge, saying, “If the prime minister wants to fight, he can fight with a wall or find someone else to fight with,” and noted that as a former bodybuilder, Abela is physically stronger than him.

Aquilina called the comment unacceptable in parliament and expressed concerns about Abela’s authority, stating, “The prime minister has the forces of order behind him and can order my arrest.”

Speaker Anġlu Farrugia said he would have acted if Aquilina had raised the issue immediately.

The Labour Party dismissed the allegations as lies, calling them “infantile” and accusing the Nationalist Party’s “extremist faction” of fabricating stories, describing Aquilina as the Opposition’s “de facto leader.”

The PN criticised Abela for acting like a “playground bully,” accusing him of avoiding public scrutiny by delaying asset declarations and resorting to intimidation.

“Our country deserves a mature Prime Minister, not one who flexes his muscles whenever criticised,” the PN said. Aquilina also criticised parliamentary practices, highlighting low attendance, inactive committees, and staged parliamentary questions, which he argued discredit the institution.

#MaltaDaily

Award Winning Broadway Musical ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Premiering At Teatru Manoel

Jan 23 2025

FM Theatre Productions and Teatru Manoel to bring the six-time Tony award winning musical to the stage featuring a stellar line-up of local performers.

This February, another smash hit musical will take the stage at Teatru Manoel with a performance that is sure to provoke thought and entertain. Jointly produced by Teatru Manoel and FM Theatre Productions, ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ is an award-winning musical with book by Tony Award-winner Steven Levenson and score by Grammy, Tony and Academy Award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

The musical revolves around a teenage boy, Evan Hansen who suffers from social anxiety. As assigned by his therapist, he writes letters to himself to build his confidence. One day, a letter of his ends up in the hands of classmate Connor Murphy, who soon after takes his own life. When Connor’s parents contact Evan to give him the letter they believe was ‘addressed’ to him, Evan finds himself caught in a whirlwind of events, leaving him at the center of an ever-growing lie that spirals out of control after going viral on social media.

In this production by FM Theatre Productions and Teatru Manoel, the role of Evan Hansen will be played alternately by Kyle Mangani and Luigi Buhagiar, with Kristen Abela and Charlotte Formosa sharing the role of Zoe Murphy. Completing the stellar cast are Dorothy Bezzina, Nadine Farrugia, Raphael Pace, Thomas Camilleri, Jamie Cardona, and Carla Fenech.

‘Dear Evan Hansen’ is directed by Denise Mulholland, with Kris Spiteri as the show’s Musical Director, set design by Matthew Cassar and videography by Dylan Odom.

Performances run from the 7th to the 9th February and the 13th to the 16th of February at 7:30pm, with an additional matinee taking place at 3pm on Sunday the 16th. Tickets are selling fast, and can be purchased via https://teatrumanoel.mt/event/dear-evan-hansen/ or by calling the Teatru Manoel Box Office at (+356) 21246389.

#MaltaDaily